1. What is the gut microbiome?

A human body is made up of all kinds of different cells. Some of these cells are human cells such as skin cells or blood cells. We are also host to trillions of microscopic microbial cells which include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and viruses. This group of non-human cells within our bodies is referred to as the human microbiome and they have their own unique set of genes. The gut microbiome refers to the microbes living in our gastrointestinal tract. It is the largest and most diverse microbial community in the human body and scientists are discovering this community plays an important role in our health.

2. Where does it come from?

We get most of the microbes in our gut microbiome from other humans. Babies first encounter microbes through the birth canal, their mother’s skin, breast milk and other individuals who touch them. As babies grow, they encounter microbes in the environment, other people, plants and animals. We also ingest microbes from the food we eat.

3. What does the gut microbiome do?

The microbes in your gut are actually helping to keep you healthy. Your gut microbiome provides about 10% of your daily energy supply because they can breakdown things we eat that we can’t digest on our own. Your gut microbes are also responsible for producing vitamins like biotin and vitamin K and producing hormones that tell your body whether or not to store fat. They also help to support your immune system and to protect you from disease.

4. Does everyone have a similar gut microbiome?

Each person’s gut microbiome is a reflection of their diet, lifestyle, and complete social history so there can be quite a bit of variation from one person’s gut microbiome to the next. Even though over 1000 different bacterial species can be part of the gut microbiome, each of us “only” has 150 to 170 different species in our own gut microbiomes. People who are related or live together tend to have similar gut microbiomes. Over time, your gut microbiome can change if you alter your diet, take antibiotics or visit a new environment. How things like diet, lifestyle and medication change the gut microbiome is something scientists are only beginning to understand.

5. What is the relationship between the gut microbiome, health and disease?

Researchers are discovering that the gut microbiome might be an important factor in a wide range of health issues like obesity, asthma, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders and heart disease. There are also indications that the gut microbiome may affect sleep patterns, mood, anxiety and other behaviors. Your gut microbiome can also affect how you respond to certain drugs. Research is deepening our understanding of the role the gut microbiome plays in many different aspects of human health.

6. Why is it important to collect a great sample to study your gut microbiome?

Researchers need to get an accurate representation of you and your microbiome. Unfortunately, your microbiome profile changes when your sample is not carefully handled and is exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions during collection and shipping. An inaccurate microbiome profile would give researchers wrong information that could result in erroneous conclusions. In order to avoid this problem, it is essential to protect your sample from the very beginning. The OMNIgene•GUT collection kit will keep your sample protected, ensuring an accurate representation of your microbiome.

Gut Microbiota Worlwatch. Everything you always wanted to know about the Gut microbiota. Public Information Service from European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. http://www.gutmicrobiotawatch.org/gut-microbiota-info/. Accessed June 3 2014.

DNA Genotek Inc., a subsidiary of OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSUR), focuses on providing high-quality biological sample collection products and end-to-end services for human genomics, microbiome and infectious disease applications. The Company's Oragene•Dx and ORAcollect•Dx product lines are the first and only FDA 510(k) cleared saliva-based DNA collection devices for in vitro diagnostic use. DNA Genotek also offers Research Use Only products to collect and preserve large amounts of DNA or RNA from multiple sample types. DNA Genotek markets its products worldwide and has a global customer base with thousands of customers in over 100 countries.